Scripture Reading: Revelation 7:1-8
In Revelation 7, we have an interlude between the sixth and seventh seals. The chapter has in mind two groups of Christians … 144,000 servants of God who are given His seal, and a "great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages."
A literal and future interpretation of the 144,000 servants sees this as Jewish Christians, who are raised up, and protected from the earthly calamities, in order to proclaim the gospel during the great tribulation. They are chosen from the twelve tribes of Israel and are the "firstfruits for God" (Rev 14:4), indicating that there will be many Jewish people who will turn to Christ during this time. This is God's 'remnant' of the people of Israel, who will be saved during the final season of human history (cf. Rom 9:27,28; 11:25-27).
The seal here seems to be a seal of protection from the calamites that befall the human race (cf. Ezek 9:1-8). This group is also mentioned in Revelation 14:1-5 as a redeemed group, who are sexually and spiritually pure … who "follow the Lamb wherever he goes … and in their mouth no lie was found." The 144,000 seem to be a group of Jewish evangelists who are raised up to proclaim the gospel in all the world. This is yet a display of God's mercy to a rebellious world. Even in His horrible judgments during this season, He offers eternal life through the global proclamation of the gospel of Christ.
The 'seal' of God is mentioned in Ephesians 1:13,14 and 4:30. The Holy Spirit is God's seal displaying His ownership and protection of His own. Let us rest in this comforting reality.
